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Ink in Will Skelton for France Tests

20th April, 2014
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Will Skelton added an international try to his list of Waratah five-pointers. (Source: AJF Photography)
Expert
20th April, 2014
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Former Wallabies have been adamant Waratahs behemoth Will Skelton must bide his time before being awarded a Wallaby jumper.

Bollocks.

At 203 centimetres and 135 kilograms Skelton has the man-power to make his presence felt at international level, with Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, and Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie more than capable of giving Skelton a crash course in how to use his massive frame.

And the prospect of teaming Skelton up with his Waratah lock partner Kane Douglas, at 202cm and 123kg, would give the Wallabies the biggest 4-5 combination in my memory.

Cometh te hour, cometh the man holds good – or in this case cometh the men.

Sure, they are both raw at this stage. Douglas has the experience edge over Skelton, but not by much.

Teaming those two is exciting, leaving the Wallaby incumbents James Horwill and Rob Simmons on the outside looking in.

McKenzie has been looking for depth, now he’s got it.

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The Wallaby pack is taking shape, with the Brumbles front row of Scott Sio, Stephem Moore, and Ben Alexander all looking good, with Benn Robinson and James Slipper exerting pressure.

Lock in Skelton and Douglas, leaving the backrow of Ben Mowen (6 and captain), Michael Hooper (7), and Scott Higginbotham (8) with Scott Fardy also in the mix.

That’s as good a pack as I’ve seen over 50 years. Big and mobile.

The Wallaby backline for France has a major problem – halfback.

It’s hard to go past Will Genia, with Nic White putting his hand up as the only genuine alternative.

Quade Cooper has 10 all sewn up, Kurtley Beale likewise at 12, providing his ankle injury isn’t serious, Tevita Kuridrani would be my selection in the 13 jersey, leaving Adam Ashley-Cooper, James Kingston, Cam Crawford, and Joe Tomane to fight out the wing spots,

With the obvious – Israel Folau the first picked at 15.

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The more you look at that side, the more you get the feeling that there’s enough sting in the tail to make a genuine bid for the Bledisloe.

While beating the French and winning the Rugby Championship are important targets, nothing is as important than beating the mighty All Blacks.

Since June 2008, there have been 18 clashes with the men in black, for 15 losses, two wins, and a draw.

That’s nightmare territory.

Yet I get the feeling my side can not only bridge the gap, but break the drought.

It will be the first big kill of the Ewen McKenzie watch, and it won’t be the last.

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